Method and Apparatus for Modifying a Cargo Container to Deliver Sand to a Frac Site

Abstract

A cargo container is modified to carry a fracing proppant such as sand from a quarry or source to the frac site. Openings are cut in the top and bottom of a cargo container and hydraulically operated sliding doors are placed there under. A hopper module with the walls being inclined to approximately the angle of repose for the proppant is installed inside the cargo container. The hopper module is sealed inside the cargo container so that a proppant enters through the top opening at the quarry and flows out through the bottom opening at the fracing site.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to the transportation of a granular substance such as sand and, more particularly, to the modification of cargo containers for the purpose of transporting sand therein to frac sites.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Cargo containers (also called intermodal containers, freight containers, ISO containers, shipping containers, Hi-Cube containers, Sea Cans) is a standardized, reusable steel box used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized freight transportation system. The container can be moved from one mode of transportation to another without unloading and reloading the contents of the container. All of the containers are 8 ft. wide so they can travel along standard highway systems. The height of the standard container is normally 8 ft. 6 in., but a “high cube” container of 9 ft. 6 in. in height can be used.[0005]The p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Also, the modified frac containers may be stacked in any conventional means, either while in transit or at the frac site. This eliminates the demurrage of waiting to unload sand into bulk sand containers at the frac site.

Problems solved by technology

Otherwise, there is not sufficient viscosity, permeability or reservoir pressure to allow the natural gas or oil to flow from the rock into the well bore at economic rates.

In the fracturing of a single well, the amount of proppant such as sand that is used can cost five or six million dollars.

Most of the cost of the sand is for handling.

From other countries, the sand is delivered to the United States by ship and is handled at multiple locations in multiple ways with very inefficient supply chain logistics for the handling of the fracing sand.

The more times the fracing sand is handled, the more expensive it is to the individual fracing company and to the well operator.

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